Network Visibility Node Header-to-Tool Mapping for 5G Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The introduction of 5G technology and advancements in wireless telecommunications present challenges for implementing a visibility fabric in core networks, including data compression, multiplexing, encryption, and the separation of control and user traffic, which complicate interoperability between network visibility nodes and tools.
Innovation Solution
A network visibility node maintains a header-to-tool mapping structure to determine which tools can decode encoded packets, reducing the need for decompression and optimizing data transmission by forwarding packets in compressed or decompressed form based on the tools' capabilities, using static and dynamic tables to manage header values and their encodings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data compression is applied to packets in 5G core networks, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but interoperability between visibility nodes and tools deteriorates due to decoding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The visibility node performs preliminary actions by maintaining a mapping structure that records which tools have received which compressed header values. Before forwarding packets, the system checks this mapping to determine whether decompression is necessary, thereby proactively managing the complexity of interoperability while preserving bandwidth efficiency through selective compression.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packets are decompressed before forwarding to all tools, then tool compatibility is improved, but processing load and data traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating each tool-port combination individually through the mapping structure. Each entry in the mapping records whether a specific tool has received a specific compressed header value, allowing the visibility node to apply decompression only where locally necessary for that particular tool, rather than universally to all tools.
3Reliability
If decompression is performed for every packet, then tool interoperability is ensured, but data traffic and processing load increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping structure acts as a feedback mechanism that records the state of header value reception at each tool-port combination. This feedback information is used to make intelligent decisions about whether decompression is necessary, preventing redundant processing operations while ensuring interoperability reliability where actually needed.
4Quantity of substance
If compressed headers are forwarded to tools, then data traffic is reduced, but tools without decoding capability cannot process the packets
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping structure serves as an intermediary between the compressed packet data and the tools. It mediates the decision-making process by providing information about tool capabilities and reception state, allowing the visibility node to act as an intelligent gateway that adapts the compressed data format to match tool requirements without requiring tools to independently handle compression complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
At least one technique for distributing traffic from a visibility node to a network tool is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the visibility node has a tool port through which to receive a plurality of packets which each include a compressed header. The visibility node determines, for each packet, whether a given network tool has received the compressed header in decompressed format based on a header-to-tool mapping structure. The structure includes information indicative of which packet headers each of the plurality of network tools have received in decompressed format. If the visibility node determines that the tool previously received the decompressed header, the visibility node transmits the packet to the network tool in compressed format. If the visibility node determines that the tool has not previously received the decompressed header, the visibility node decompresses the compressed header prior to transmitting the packet to the given network tool.